The March of the Great White Bear (2017)

The March of the Great White Bear《大白熊進行曲》

Video based on the "stereotypical behaviours (repetitive, seemingly functionless movements)" of polar bears in captivity.

Ethological studies have shown that stereotypical behaviours may stem from limited captive environments that do not satisfy the animals' behavioural needs. It is also seen as a symptom of psychological distress, and therefore is considered a warning sign of welfare issue (but not a "welfare indicator").

It should be noted that the "current enclosures" are not necessarily the cause of stereotypical behaviours: they may stem from experiences from earlier stages of the bears' lives.

White Bear (2014-)

The photographic project White Bear depicts polar bears and their captivity environments globally; it also attempts to shed light on the corresponding zoological issues.

White Bear is not about polar bears — it studies the visible symptoms amid animals and their artificial habitats by focusing on one specific species. These enclosures, constructed to mimic the bears' habitat, are bizarre combinations of “nature” and “stage”.

Maps: Europe (Selected)

-Installation-

L: Lianzhou Foto Festival, China (2016)

R: Wanderer Studio, Taipei (2015)

book (in the making) mechanism:

Combining transparency sheets and "right-to-left page-turning" action unique to the book medium, we hope to achieve an interactive experience of re-locating the bears. While flipping the pages, the reader pluck the bear from their natural polar habitats to artificial habitats.

The goal is making a children-friendly photo book with a simple mechanism.

Arctic image credit: Christopher Wood

White Bear

"White Bear" depicts polar bears on display and their artificial habitats. It attempts to portray the dilemmas concerning captive animal programs by focusing on one specific species. Currently, it has been executed in 26 sites in Europe and China. Functionally, the structures often combine nature, home and stage.